Recorded offences in Canterbury District during the 2006/2007 fiscal year increased by 5.2% but despite this increase, long term trends indicate that crime is still on a downward trend says District Commander, Superintendent Sandra Manderson.
There was a reduction in dwelling burglary by 3.8% (168 offences) and car theft decreased by 16.9% overall (461 offences).
"When we look at the figures per 10,000 of population we get a clearer picture of what is happening," she says.
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There was an increase in the number of recorded offences per 10,000 of the population, from 880.95 in 2005/2006 to 914.05 in 2006/2007.
The increase in recorded offences occurred across all areas within the District. While the largest increase occurred in Christchurch Central, the largest percentage increase occurred in Mid South Canterbury. Mid South Canterbury accounted for 23% of the District increase in recorded offences while only representing 14% of recorded crime.
Increases were recorded in all crime categories except for Property Abuse. Over ninety percent of the increases can be attributed to two offence categories, Drugs & Anti Social Behaviour and Property Damage.
Many increases are caused as a direct result of increased policing numbers at critical times, says the District Commander.
"Having more Police on the ground within the Christchurch Central area means we are locating people for offences which may not have been reported. For example targeted enforcement of Liquor ban areas resulted in large increases for Disorder offences (23.5%, 138 offences) and Sale of Liquor Act offences (146.3%, 433 offences) within the Christchurch Central Area."
Immoral Behaviour Category increases related to Immoral Behaviour and in particular, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse (increase of 19 offences), Indecency (Male-Female) (increase of 13 offences), and Films, Videos and Publications (increase of 21 offences).
This can partly be attributed to an increased media awareness relating to child pornography which has led to an increase in reporting, and has increased the number of offences.
"Police have worked with the media and will continue to do so around the messages of safety and the inappropriate consumption of alcohol. Many of the offences involved victims who were intoxicated to an extent where they were unable to care for their own safety," she says.
Disorder offences can be attributed to the increased Police presence within the city centre. Disorder increased by 14.1% overall (240 offences) with an increase of 23.5% (138 offences) within Christchurch Central.
Sale of Liquor Act offences more than doubled during the 2006/2007 year (an increase of 485 offences). Almost all (433 offences) of the increases were in Christchurch Central and can be attributed to targeted enforcement within the City centre,
"This increase reflects the year (1 October 2006) since the commencement of the 'One Way Door Accord', a local agreement to refuse entry to licensed premises within the city centre after 4am," says Superintendent Manderson. "Police have also have adopted a 'zero tolerance' policy to the Liquor Ban in place in the city centre."
The District is working very closely with schools and the media to embrace the message of inappropriate use of alcohol.
Drugs and Anti Social Behaviour offences increased by 24% (1,011 offences) during the 2006/2007 year.
These types of offences increased in all areas but most noticeably in Christchurch Central (52.7%) and Mid South Canterbury (21.6%).
Property Damage increased by 18.7% (1165 offences) and accounted for 15% of recorded crime but approximately 49% of the district increase. Increases occurred in all areas.
Wilful Damage increased by 19% (1095 offences). This includes 114 offences of Graffiti, (a new code introduced towards the end of the 2006/2007 year).
Police are working closely with the Christchurch City Council to improve recording of these types of offences and to identify offenders.
Dishonesty offences (including Burglary and Car Crime) account for 57% of total crime within the District and increased by 0.1% during the 2006/2007 year, in all areas except for Christchurch Central.
Burglary offences overall increased by 3.9% (253 offences). Dwelling Burglary decreased by 3.8% (168 offences); Burglary Non Dwelling increased by 21.1% (421 offences). The increase in commercial burglaries is reflected by the increases in 'Burglary by Night'.
Car Theft decreased by 16.9% overall (461 offences) and this decrease was evident in all areas except for Mid South Canterbury (increase of 20.2%).
Theft ex Car however, increased by 4.3% (247 offences), the increase due largely to increases in both Northern and Southern Canterbury figures. In 2005/2006 we had a decrease of 11.5% on the previous year which was a ten year low.
"We shall continue to run scheduled operations such as Operation Dentist and Operation Nitro that target offenders and locations at peak periods of offending," says Superintendent Manderson.
Violence increased by 1% (50 offences) with the largest increases being for Serious and Grievous Assaults. A large percentage of the increase in Serious Assaults was Family Violence related.
There was also an increase in Assaults on Police, 22.7% (39 offences).
"This is of concern because of the danger to Police staff," says Superintendent Manderson. "This may be a result of the increased Police presence in the Christchurch city during late nights and weekends when our staff are dealing with intoxicated people along with anti social behaviour."
"The District shall continue to take a zero tolerance approach towards violence particularly within the Christchurch city centre," says Superintendent Manderson. "The increased Police presence will continue and Police will also continue to work with partner agencies to resolve the many issues that arise as a result of alcohol consumption."
Considerable work has been done within the District to increase the reporting of Family Violence related incidents. Media attention and the work of the Family Safety Team has resulted in an increase of recorded incidents.
The District is now working closely with repeat victims of Family Violence who are being identified through a number of reporting procedures.
Traffic
There were 31 deaths in Canterbury in the last financial year compared to 41 the previous year.
"While this is a fantastic result with 10 fewer Cantabrians being killed on our roads, most indications are that the reduction in deaths has reached a plateau or is starting to rise again," says Traffic Manager, Inspector Derek Erasmus.
"Alcohol involved crashes are also trending upwards which is a significant concern to Police," Inspector Erasmus says.